Combination hair comb and pick

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a combination comb and hair pick which is particularly adapted for debraiding plat-styled hair. The device of the invention comprises a comb section, a pick section and an intervening body section. The pick section is contiguous with and extends from the body toward the bottom end of the device to form an angle of less than 90 degrees with the longitudinal axes of the comb teeth. This configuration provides a hooking action which prevents the pick section from slipping out of a pleat during the debraiding of the plat. The comb and pick operation of the device can be rapidly switched without releasing the device or radically reorienting the device. This is achieved by pivoting the device while it is held, so that either the comb section or pick section is brought in contact with the desired portion of hair.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/314,620, filed Aug. 24, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to the field of hair grooming devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The comb is an ancient invention. As defined in Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, a comb is an instrument with teeth, for straightening, cleansing and adjusting the hair, or for keeping it in place. Throughout history, combs have been devised in a multitude of sizes, shapes and materials. In the most typical case, the standard consists of a spine, or a thin strip, from which a plurality of parallel teeth extend.

[0004] A hair pick is another example of a hair grooming device which is structurally and functionally different than the comb. In general, a hair pick is a hair grooming device for giving lift and volume to hair. However, specific applications require a hair pick consisting of a straight or curved elongated member, often with a pointed end, which is used for fine adjustment, separation and/or detangling of strands or sections of hair, in particular, braids or plat-styled hair. As used herein, the term “plat” includes but is not limited to braids, dreadlocks, cornrows and similar styles wherein the hair is arranged in a compact and intertwined manner. A standard comb is ill-adapted for the rigorous task of detangling plat-styled hair. In response, a number of specialized hair picks, sometimes known as “debraiders”, have been developed. These debraiders are typically characterized by strong, short pick sections which are sometimes hook-shaped. The “hooking action” of a hook-type debraider pick allows the pick to remain within a pleat during a progressive detangling motion along the length of the pleat. One of these devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,825.

[0005] A number of combination hair combs and picks have also been developed. The so-called rattail comb is a standard type rectangular hair comb consisting of a spine from which the teeth extend and a pick-shaped handle extending from the spine. The long axis of the pick handle and the long axis of the spine are co-extensive. The pick-shaped handle of the rattail comb is quite long and thin and generally weak. Moreover, it lacks the hooking action which facilitates debraiding. Accordingly, a rattail style comb is ill-adapted for the grooming and/or detangling of braids and otherwise plat-styled hair. Furthermore, the self-use of a rattail comb to attempt to detangle plat-styled hair also represents a particular hazard to the self-user since the often strong force required to detangle the plat could result in the breakage of the pick from the comb and the accidental injury to the user.

[0006] Other types of combination hair combs and picks have also been developed. One example consists of three distinct sections sharing the same axis or spine: a handle section interposed between a comb section and a pick section. The pick section consists of multiple thin, straight pick elements parallel to the long axis of the combination comb-pick. The teeth of the comb section are perpendicular to the long axis of the comb and are also perpendicular to the long axis of the pick section. This example of a combination comb and pick lacks the hooking action and short configuration which is advantageous for debraiding plat-styled hair. Furthermore, their multiple pick elements also detract from focused debraiding. Moreover, such have a rather elongated configuration rather than a compact one, since all of component sections are aligned along their longest axes. This type of combination comb and pick is disclosed in U.S. D282,293, D282,294 and D330,781.

[0007] In view of the above, there is a need, met by the present invention, for a combination hair pick and comb advantageously adapted for both combing and debraiding pleat-styled hair via hooking action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides an improved combination comb and hair pick. The combination comb and hair pick of the invention has a substantially flat configuration and comprises a comb section, a body section and a pick section. The comb section and the pick section are separated from one another by the body section. The body section is sized and configured for holding and handling the combination comb and hair pick. The comb section comprises a plurality of substantially parallel teeth continuous with and extending from the body. The teeth may have the same or varying length. Each tooth has a free end and a longitudinal axis. The free ends of the teeth define the bottom end of the device and the longitudinal axes of the teeth define the vertical axis of the device.

[0009] The pick section projects from the body section to terminate in a point or an end-point. The pick section projects from the body of the device and extends in the direction of the bottom of the device to form an angle of less than 90 degrees between the vertical axis of the device and the pick section. The shape of the pick section is variable provided that it is in a shape which is suitable and facilitates the hooking action of the pick. In accordance with various embodiments, the pick section can extend from the body at a point disposed above the comb section or at a disposed below the top end of the device. Alternatively, the pick section is contiguous with and extends from the upper end of the device.

[0010] The shape of the combined comb and pick of the invention allows both the picking operation and the combing operation of the device to be performed by movement of the device in approximately the same direction. Advantageously, this configuration provides for hooking of a plat by the pick section of the device while the device is moved in the direction of its comb section. Further advantageously, the comb and pick operation of the device of the invention can be rapidly switched without releasing the device or radically repositioning the device in the user's hand. This is achieved by pivoting the device while it is held so that either the comb section or pick section is brought in contact with a desired portion of hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the longitudinal axis of the comb teeth and the vertical axis of the body section are substantially parallel and wherein the pick section extends from the top end of the body section toward the bottom end of the device.

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the longitudinal axis of the comb teeth and the vertical axis of the body section are substantially parallel and wherein the pick section extends from the body at point below the top end of the device toward the bottom end of the device.

[0013]FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the pick section is at least partly curved toward the bottom end of the device.

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the longitudinal axis of the body section of the device is offset with respect to the longitudinal axes of the comb teeth and wherein the pick section projects from the top end of the body section toward the bottom end of the device.

[0015]FIG. 5 illustrates and embodiment of the invention wherein the profile of the body section of the device is curved and wherein the pick section of the device is slightly curved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The invention provides an improved combination comb and hair pick. In one embodiment of the invention, the combination comb and hair pick has an at least substantially flat configuration comprising a substantially flat front and back surface. In another embodiment of the invention, either or both of the substantially flat surfaces of the device may be contoured or textured to facilitate more comfortable and controlled handling of the device.

[0017] The device has a top end, a bottom end and a vertical axis. The top end can be in any shape, e.g., substantially flat or substantially convex. The hair grooming device of the invention comprises a body section, a comb section and a pick section. The comb section and the pick section are separated from one another by the body section. The body section is sized and configured for handling the combination comb and hair pick. Since the size of the human hand varies among individuals, the devices of the invention can be provided in various sizes, for example, to correspond to small, medium and large-sized hands.

[0018] The comb section comprises a plurality of substantially parallel teeth contiguous with and extending from the body. Each tooth has a free end and a longitudinal axis. The free ends of the define the bottom end of the device and the longitudinal axes of the teeth define the vertical axis of the device.

[0019] The pick section is contiguous with and extends from the body toward, or in the direction of, the bottom end of the device to form an angle of less than 90 degrees with the axes of the comb teeth. This configuration provides structural and functional advantages to the invention. Structurally, the combination comb and pick of the invention is compact and sturdy enough to withstand the forces associated with debraiding. Additionally, the configuration facilitates both the picking operation and the combing operation of the device to be performed by movement of the device in approximately the same direction. The comb and pick operation of the device of the invention can be rapidly switched without releasing the device or radically repositioning the device in the user's hand. This is achieved by pivoting the device while it is held so that either the comb section or pick section is brought in contact with the desired portion of hair. Hence, the compact structural design of the invention advantageously speeds the entire debraiding process while providing ergonomically correct and comfortable handling for the user.

[0020] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising a comb section 101, a body section 102 and a pick section 103. the comb section comprises a plurality of parallel teeth. The free ends of the teeth define the bottom end of the device. In this embodiment, the shape of the top end of the device is substantially flat and the pick section extends from the top end. Parallel lines 104 and 105 illustrate the longitudinal axes of the teeth of the comb section, respectively. Line 106 shows the vertical axis of the body which is parallel to the longitudinal axes of the teeth. Angle 107 is the angle formed between the vertical axis of the body and the longitudinal axis of the pick section. According to the invention, angle 107 is less than 90 degrees. Thus, at least part of the pick section always points downward, i.e., toward the bottom end of the device. Advantageously, therefore, a compact hook-type configuration is formed.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the longitudinal axis of the comb teeth and the vertical axis of the body section are co-extensive and wherein the pick section extends from the body section at a point disposed below the top end of the device.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but wherein the pick section is at least partly curved. In accordance with this embodiment, the pick section initially emerges from the body section of the device at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axes of the comb teeth, but thereafter curves toward the bottom end of the device. FIG. 3 also illustrates that the pick section of the device need not have a pointed end but can also have, for example, a flat-ended or blunted tip.

[0024]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the vertical axis of the body section of the device is offset with respect to the longitudinal axes of the comb teeth and wherein the pick section emerges from the upper end of the body section.

[0025]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 4, but wherein the profile of the body section of the device is curved rather than straight and wherein the pick section of the device is slightly curved

[0026] The device may be constructed of a variety of materials including, but not limited to: metal, wood, ceramic, natural and synthetic polymers/plastics, e.g., thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymers, with and without reinforcements, such as glass fibers.

[0027] It is understood that the above described examples of the invention are illustrative only and that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely in connection with the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair grooming device having a top end, a bottom end and a vertical axis, the device comprising: a body; a comb section comprising a plurality of substantially parallel teeth contiguous and extending from the body, wherein each tooth has a free end and a longitudinal axis, and the free ends of the teeth define the bottom end of the device and the longitudinal axes of the teeth define the vertical axis of the device; and a pick section contiguous with and extending from the body toward the bottom end of the device.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the vertical axis of the device and the pick section is less than 90 degrees.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pick section extends from the body at a point disposed above the comb section.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pick section is contiguous with and extends from the top end of the device.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pick section extends from the body at a point disposed below the top end of the device.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body section is offset with respect to the vertical axis of the device.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the teeth have a uniform length.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the teeth have varying lengths.
 9. The device according to claim 2, wherein the pick section extends from the body at a point disposed above the comb section.
 10. The device according to claim 2, wherein the pick section is contiguous with and extends from the top end of the device.
 11. The device according to claim 2, wherein the pick section extends from the body at a point disposed below the top end of the device.
 12. The device according to claim 2, wherein the body section is offset with respect to the vertical axis of the device.
 13. The device according to claim 2, wherein the teeth have a uniform length.
 14. The device according to claim 2, wherein the teeth have varying lengths. 